While Democrats will find a ballot with top contenders missing, Republicans will find a full slate awaiting for voters to connect the arrows on the ballot.

Or vote uncommitted.

The state's touted presidential primary Tuesday could shape the Republican primary more than the Democratic since Obama and Edwards took a pass, leaving a nearly certain victory for U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, a former first lady, whose campaign stumbled to a third place finish against her two rivals in Iowa but rocketed to the front of the pack in New Hampshire.

Edwards and Obama withdrew their names because the state fast forwarded the primary date in violation of party rules. The Democratic National Committee has stripped the state of its delegates to the national convention in August in Denver for moving up the primary date.

Party officials have advised voters to cast a ballot for "uncommitted" if they support someone who isn't on the ballot and not cross over into the Republican primary.

Write-in votes will not count since none of the hopefuls agreed to accept them. The Democrats, with the exception of Ohio congressman Dennis Kucinich, have said they will not campaign in Michigan during the primary.

"It's unprecedented to have this kind of circumstance where the major party candidates have removed their names from the ballot and are not even campaigning in the state," said J. Cherie Strachan, a Central Michigan University assistant professor of political science. "My Republican friends are a lot more excited about our primary getting moved up."

The absence of Democratic candidates has frustrated J.J. Horgan, chairman of the Saginaw County Democratic Party.

"I think these things are a farce," he said. "It's costing us millions of dollars for this, and it's not proving a thing. Democratic voters are really being cheated."

The GOP battleground is a must win for Republican contender and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a Michigan native, said Ed Sarpolus, a veteran pollster with EPIC-MRA in Lansing. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee trumped him in Iowa and U.S. Sen. John McCain beat Romney in New Hampshire. Romney, however, won Wyoming.

"If Romney loses New Hampshire and then loses Michigan, then Romney is almost out of it," Sarpolus said.

Romney predicted victory in a Friday interview with The Saginaw News. "I'm going to win in Michigan," he said, declaring his home state's economic malaise a "personal" matter if he's in the White House. "It's going to be a close race, but I'm going to win."

"The number one issue in Michigan is revitalizing a recession economy," said the son of the late Gov. George Romney, former leader of the Great Lakes State and one-time chairman of the defunct American Motors Corp.

"A Washington politician is not going to beat me in showing how to rebuild the economy in Michigan," the presidential hopeful said. "I will not rest until Michigan is strong and vibrant again."

In a Friday appearance at the Birch Run Expo Center, Huckabee preached a populist message about economic recovery, tax reform, and moral values. The former Southern Baptist pastor said the state acted as the arsenal of democracy in World War II, and now the nation must respond to Michigan's economic plight.

"This state in many ways saved America," he said, "and now it's time for America to return the favor and help save this state."

Romney has pulled TV ads before upcoming primaries in South Carolina and Florida, placing his bets on the political table in Michigan. Former U.S. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert of Illinois is expected to appear around 6 p.m. Monday before Romney supporters manning a phone bank inside the James Plaza, 2825 Bay, Suite 300 in Saginaw Township, said Kenneth V. Shapley, Saginaw County chairman of the Romney campaign.

"Obviously, it will be a big disappointment for Mitt Romney should he not win Michigan," said Saginaw County Republican Party Chairman Tim Kelly. "Huckabee's coming up, but he might have peaked early."

The GOP race has emerged into a three-way shoot-out between Huckabee, McCain, who won the presidential primary in Michigan in 2000, and Romney, political pundits predict.

But with fewer evangelical voters in Michigan than Iowa, the Arkansas governor won't have near the assurance of victory he did in the Corn Belt, Strachan said.

Grass root Republicans, meanwhile, have geared up for battle in a state that's become the next ground zero in the GOP contest for the White House.

Eric Klammer ran for Congress as a Republican against veteran U.S. Rep. Dale E. Kildee, a Flint Democrat, in the last federal election. Klammer, 37, now hands out signs from his Buena Vista Township home to McCain supporters.

He likes U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, a California Republican campaigning on fair trade, manufacturing, immigration and defense issues, but plans to vote for McCain out of practicality when it comes to electability.

"He's the only one who's rock solid on the war against Islamofacism," Klammer said. "Since none of the Democrats seem to give a rip about Michigan, there's probably going to be some Democrats voting for McCain, too."

Sarpolus said Michigan is a missed opportunity for Democrats.

Edwards could have established himself as a serious contender, and Obama could have potentially gained a major victory against Clinton, the pollster said.

Even without a crowded field, Clinton needs a 60 percent victory in Michigan, the pollster predicted.

"It's perception," Sarpolus said. "Hillary needs Michigan for the perception of a winner."